Juan de Pareja (ca. 1608–1670)

Diego Velázquez

Created:
Movement:
1650
Baroque
key Notes:
Portraiture Mastery, Dignified Presence
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Dimensions:
32 x 27 1/2 in. (81.3 x 69.9 cm)
medium:
Oil on canvas
Difficulty:
Easy
New game
story of the work:

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Juan de Pareja by Diego Velázquez

Juan de Pareja, painted by Diego Velázquez in 1650, is a significant work of art created using oil on canvas. This portrait is renowned for its realistic depiction and the dignified presence of its subject, Juan de Pareja, who was Velázquez's enslaved assistant and later became a painter in his own right. The painting is celebrated for its masterful use of light and shadow, showcasing Velázquez's skill in capturing the human form and expression. Historically, this work is notable for its progressive portrayal of an individual of African descent during a period when such representations were rare in European art. Velázquez, a leading figure of the Spanish Golden Age, was known for his innovative techniques and his role as a court painter to King Philip IV of Spain. The portrait of Juan de Pareja not only highlights Velázquez's artistic prowess but also reflects the complex social dynamics of 17th-century Spain.

Description of the work:

Juan de Pareja by Diego Velázquez

Diego Velázquez's "Juan de Pareja," painted in 1650, is an oil on canvas portrait that exemplifies the Baroque style with its realistic depiction and masterful use of light and shadow. The painting, which portrays Velázquez's assistant Juan de Pareja, is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Juan de Pareja (ca. 1608–1670)